Camera module

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a camera module. The camera module according to one embodiment includes a lens barrel disposed in a housing to receive a lens; a driving unit moving the lens barrel relative to the housing; and a circuit board electrically connected to the driving unit. The driving unit includes a first driving unit in the lens barrel; and a second driving unit in the housing. A portion of the second driving unit directly makes contact with the circuit board.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiment relates to a camera module.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, a camera module has been installed in a mobile communicationterminal, an information technology (IT) device, such as a PDA or an MP3player, a vehicle, and an endoscope. As the technology has beendeveloped toward the high-pixel camera module from the conventional VGAcamera equipped with 0.3 mega pixels, the camera module has beenmanufactured in a small size with a slim structure according to targetsto which the camera module is installed. In addition, the camera modulehas been equipped with various additional functions, such asauto-focusing or optical zoom functions, at the low manufacturing cost.

Meanwhile, the camera module manufactured in these days is equipped withan image sensor module, which is manufactured through a COB (chip ofboard) scheme, a COF (chip of flexible) scheme or a CSP (chip scalepackage) scheme, and is usually connected to a main substrate through anelectric connection unit, such as a PCB (printed circuit board) or anFPCB (flexible printed circuit board).

However, users recently request the camera module, which can be directlymounted on the main substrate similar to a general passive element, insuch a manner that the manufacturing process for the camera module canbe simplified while reducing the manufacturing cost.

The camera module is generally manufactured by attaching an imagesensor, such as a CCD or a CMOS, to a substrate through a wire bondingscheme or a flip chip scheme. An image of a subject is focused by theimage sensor and the focused image is stored as data in a memory, whichis installed inside or outside the camera module. In addition, thestored data are converted into electric signals and the electric signalsare displayed as images through a display medium, such as an LCD or a PCmonitor provided in a device.

A camera module according to the related art includes a housing, animage sensor supported on a bottom of the housing to convert an imagesignal received through a lens into an electric signal, a lens group tofocus an image signal of a subject to the image sensor, and a barrel inwhich the lens group are stacked. The housing, the lens group and thebarrel are sequentially coupled with each other.

In addition, an FPCB mounted thereon with chip components, which areelectric components serving as a condenser and a resistor to drive theimage sensor including a CCD or a CMOS, is electrically connected to thebottom of the housing.

In the camera module having the above structure according to the relatedart, in a state that a plurality of circuit components have been mountedon the FPCB, an ACF (anisotropic conductive film) is inserted betweenthe substrate and the image sensor, and heat and pressure are appliedthereto in such a manner that the substrate, the image sensor and theACF are fixedly bonded and conducted with each other and an IR cut-offfilter is attached to an opposite side.

In addition, in a state that the barrel provided therein with aplurality of lens groups is temporally screw-coupled with the housing,as described above, the assembled PCB used for mounting devices isfixedly bonded to the bottom of the housing by an adhesive.

Meanwhile, after the PCB, to which the image sensor is attached, hasbeen fixedly bonded to the housing coupled with the barrel, a focusadjustment is carried out with respect to a subject (resolution chart)located in front of the barrel and spaced apart from the barrel by apredetermined distance. At this time, the focus adjustment of the cameramodule can be achieved between the lens group and the image sensor whileadjusting the vertical displacement by rotating the barrel screw-coupledwith the housing.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The embodiment provides a camera module capable of effectivelypreventing hand-shaking.

Solution to Problem

According to the embodiment, there is provided a camera module includinga lens barrel disposed in a housing to receive a lens; a driving unitmoving the lens barrel relative to the housing; and a circuit boardelectrically connected to the driving unit, wherein the driving unitcomprises: a first driving unit in the lens barrel; and a second drivingunit in the housing, and wherein a portion of the second driving unitdirectly makes contact with the circuit board.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The camera module according to the embodiment can compensate forhand-shaking by driving the lens barrel with respect to the housing.That is, the driving unit can compensate for hand-shaking by moving thelens barrel relative to the housing.

In particular, the camera module according to the embodiment moves thelens barrel by applying magnetic force in the direction inclined withrespect to the reference horizontal plane. Thus, the camera moduleaccording to the embodiment can move the lens barrel in the 3-axisdirections. Therefore, the camera module according to the embodiment cancompensate for the shaking in the left and right directions and canadjust the focus.

Meanwhile, the driving unit of the camera module according to theembodiment includes the coil which directly makes contact with thecircuit board. Thus, the coil can be connected to the circuit boardwithout using a spring or a pin so that the structure and themanufacturing process can be simplified. In addition, the defective ratecan be reduced by reducing the number of soldering processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module accordingto the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a camera module according to theembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an elastic member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a lens barrel and a driving unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a camera module according to theembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a camera module according tothe embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a portion of the driving unit.

FIG. 8 is a view showing another portion of the driving unit.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module accordingto another embodiment.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

In the description of the embodiments, it will be understood that wheneach lens, unit, part, hole, protrusion, groove or layer is referred toas being “on” or “under” another lens, unit, part, hole, protrusion,groove or layer, it can be “directly” or “indirectly” on the other lens,unit, part, hole, protrusion, groove or layer or one or more interveninglayers may also be present. Such a position has been described withreference to the drawings. The thickness and size of each layer shown inthe drawings may be exaggerated, omitted or schematically drawn for thepurpose of convenience or clarity. In addition, the size of elementsdoes not utterly reflect an actual size.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module accordingto the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cameramodule according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a view showing an elasticmember, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a lens barrel and a drivingunit, FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the camera module according tothe embodiment, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cameramodule according to the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a view showing a portionof the driving unit and FIG. 8 is a view showing another portion of thedriving unit.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, the camera module according to the embodimentincludes a lens barrel 100, a lens assembly 200, an elastic member 300,a housing 400, an IR cut-off filter unit 500, a sensor unit 600, acircuit board 700 and driving units 710, 720 . . . and 700N.

The lens barrel 100 receives the lens assembly 200 therein.

The lens barrel 100 has a receiving groove 110 for receiving the lensassembly 200. The receiving groove 110 may have a shape corresponding toa shape of the lens assembly 200. When viewed from the bottom, thereceiving groove 110 may have a circular shape. In detail, when viewedfrom the bottom, the receiving groove 110 may have a circular shape.That is, the outer portion of the receiving groove 110 may have acircular shape. In addition, the outer portion of the receiving groove110 may have a rectangular shape.

The lens barrel 100 may have a rectangular shape. That is, the outerportion of the lens barrel 100 may have a rectangular shape.

The lens barrel 100 may be connected with the housing 400. In detail,the lens barrel 100 is connected to the housing 400 through the elasticmember 300. That is, the lens barrel 100 may be movably connected to thehousing 400 by the elastic member 300.

In addition, the lens barrel 100 includes a light incident groove, whichis open upward (toward an object). The light incident groove exposes thelens assembly 200. An image is incident into the lens assembly 200through the light incident groove.

The lens assembly 200 is disposed in the lens barrel 100. In detail, thelens assembly 200 is disposed in the receiving groove 110. The lensassembly 200 is inserted into the receiving groove 110. The lensassembly 200 may have a first outer profile. In detail, the lensassembly 200 may have a circular outer profile. In more detail, the lensassembly may have a circular shape when viewed from the top. Inaddition, the lens assembly 200 may have a rectangular shape when viewedfrom the top.

The lens assembly 200 includes a plurality of lenses 210, 220 and 230.For instance, the lens assembly 200 may include a first lens 210, asecond lens 220, and a third lens 230. The third lens 230, the secondlens 220, and the first lens 210 may be sequentially laminated.

Further, a first spacer 221 and a second spacer 222 may be interposedamong the lenses 210, 220, 230, and 240. The lenses 210, 220, 230, and240 are spaced apart from each other through the first spacer 221 andthe second spacer 222.

Although it has been described that the lens assembly 200 includes threelenses, the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the lensassembly 200 may include one or two lenses or at least four lenses.

The elastic member 300 is disposed in the housing 400. The elasticmember 300 is fixed to the housing 400. Further, the elastic member 300is fixed to the lens barrel 100. The elastic member 300 movably fixesthe lens barrel 100 to the housing 400.

The elastic member 300 may include a spring. In detail, the elasticmember 300 may include a leaf spring. The elastic member 300 may includefour elastic sections 310, 320, 330 and 340. For instance, the elasticmember 300 may include a first elastic section 310, a second elasticsection 320, a third elastic section 330 and a fourth elastic section340.

One end of the first elastic section 310 is fixed to the lens barrel 100and the other end of the first elastic section 310 is fixed to thehousing 400.

In addition, one end of the second elastic section 320 is fixed to thelens barrel 100 and the other end of the second elastic section 320 isfixed to the housing 400.

Further, one end of the third elastic section 330 is fixed to the lensbarrel 100 and the other end of the third elastic section 330 is fixedto the housing 400.

In addition, one end of the fourth elastic section 340 is fixed to thelens barrel 100 and the other end of the fourth elastic section 340 isfixed to the housing 400.

The elastic member 300 may further include a first fixing link 350 and asecond fixing link 360.

The first fixing link 350 surrounds the outer peripheral portion of thereceiving groove 110 of the lens barrel 100. The first fixing link 350is connected to one end of the first elastic section 310, one end of thesecond elastic section 330, one end of the third elastic section 330 andone end of the fourth elastic section 340.

The first fixing link 350 may be fixed to the lens barrel 100. Inaddition, the first fixing link 350 may fix the position of the first tofourth elastic sections 310 to 340.

The second fixing link 360 is disposed along sidewalls 410, 420, 430 and440 of the housing 400. The second fixing link 360 is connected to theother end of the first elastic section 310, the other end of the secondelastic section 330, the other end of the third elastic section 330 andthe other end of the fourth elastic section 340.

The second fixing link 360 may be fixed to the housing 400. In addition,the second fixing link 360 may fix the position of the first to fourthelastic sections 310 to 340.

The housing 400 receives the lens barrel 100, the sensor unit 600 andthe IR cut-off filter unit 500. The housing 400 is connected to the lensbarrel 100 through the elastic member 300.

The housing 400 may include plastic or metal. The housing 400 may have arectangular container shape. For instance, the housing 400 may includefour sidewalls 410, 420, 430 and 440. The sidewalls 410, 420, 430 and440 may surround the lens barrel 100.

The sidewalls 410, 420, 430 and 440 may be integrally formed with eachother. The sidewalls 410, 420, 430 and 440 may face the outer surfacesof the lens barrel 100, respectively. The sidewalls 410, 420, 430 and440 may include a first sidewall 410, a second sidewall 420, a thirdsidewall 430 and a fourth sidewall 440.

Although not shown in the drawings, a cover section may be furtherprovided. The cover section extends from the sidewalls 410, 420, 430 and440 to cover the lens barrel 100. The cover section may include anopening area to partially expose the lenses 210, 220 and 230.

The housing 400 is fixed to the circuit board 800. The housing 400 maybe coupled with the circuit board 800.

The IR cut-off filter unit 500 is disposed in the housing 400. The IRcut-off filter unit 500 is fixed to the circuit board 800 and may befixed to the housing 400. The IR cut-off filter unit 500 filters anincident IR. The IR cut-off filter unit 500 may filter light having anexcessively long wavelength introduced into the sensor unit 600.

The IR cut-off filter unit 500 may be formed by alternately depositingtitanium oxide and silicon oxide on optical glass. In order to cut-offthe IR, thicknesses of the titanium oxide and the silicon oxide may besuitable adjusted.

The sensor unit 600 is received in the housing 400. The sensor unit 600includes a CCD image sensor and a CMOS image sensor. In addition, thesensor unit 600 further includes the circuit board 800 connected to theimage sensor. The sensor unit 600 converts an incident image into anelectrical signal.

The sensor unit 600 is fixed to the circuit board 800. The sensor unit600 may be mounted on the circuit board 800. The sensor unit 600 iselectrically connected to the circuit board 800.

The circuit board 800 may cover a bottom of the housing 400. The circuitboard 800 is coupled with the housing 400. The circuit board 800 mayinclude a printed circuit board (PCB). The circuit board 800 may beelectrically connected to the sensor unit 600. The circuit board 800 mayapply a signal for driving the sensor unit 600. Further, the circuitboard 800 may receive a signal from the sensor unit 600.

The sensor unit 600 is mounted on the circuit board 800. In detail, thesensor unit 600 may be fixed to the circuit board 800. That is, thesensor unit 600 may be fixed to the housing 400 through the circuitboard 800.

Further, the circuit board 800 may be electrically connected to thedriving units 710, 720 . . . and 700N. That is, a signal for driving thedriving units 710, 720 . . . and 700N may be applied to the drivingunits 710, 720 . . . 700N through the circuit board 800. Some of thedriving units 710, 720 . . . 700N may directly make contact with thecircuit board 800, which will be described later.

The driving units 710, 720 . . . and 700N drive the lens barrel 100 withrespect to the housing 400. The driving units 710, 720 . . . and 700Ndrive the lens barrel 100 relative to the housing 400. In more detail,the driving units 710, 720 . . . and 700N may drive the lens barrel 100in 3-axis directions relative to the housing 400.

The driving units 710, 720 . . . . and 700N may move the lens barrel 100relative to the housing 400 by magnetic force. At this time, themagnetic force is applied in the direction inclined with respect to theoptical axis OA of the lens assembly 200.

The driving units 710, 720 . . . and 700N may include a first drivingunit 710, a second driving unit 720, a third driving unit 730, a fourthdriving unit 740, a fifth driving unit 750, a sixth driving unit 760, aseventh driving unit 770, and an eighth driving unit 780.

A reference horizontal plane R, which is perpendicular to the opticalaxis OA of the lens assembly 200, may be defined. The referencehorizontal plane R may pass through the center of the first driving unit710. The reference horizontal plane R may divide the first driving unit710 into two half parts.

In addition, an object-side direction may be defined toward the objectof the lens assembly 200 in the optical axis OA direction, that is, anupward direction in the drawing. In addition, an image-side directionmay be defined toward the sensor unit 600 directed to the image of thelens assembly 200 in the optical axis OA direction, that is, thedownward direction in the drawing.

In addition, the first direction may be defined in the directionperpendicular to the optical axis OA as well as the first and fifthdriving units 710 and 750. Further, the second direction may be definedin the direction perpendicular to the optical axis OA as well as thethird and seventh driving units 730 and 770.

The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction.

In addition, the object-side direction is defined with a positive angleand the upper direction is defined with a negative angle about thereference horizontal plane R. That is, if the directional vector isbiased to the object-side direction about the reference horizontal planeR, it is defined with the positive angle. Further, if the directionalvector is biased to the image-side direction about the referencehorizontal plane R, it is defined with the negative angle.

The first driving unit 710 is fixed to the lens barrel 100. In detail,the first driving unit 710 is fixed to the outer portion of the lensbarrel 100. In more detail, the first driving unit 710 may be attachedto the outer surface of the lens barrel 100. The first driving unit 710may be attached to the center of one outer surface of the lens barrel100.

The first driving unit 710 may include a magnetic material. The firstdriving unit 710 may be formed by the magnetic material. The firstdriving unit 710 may include iron oxide, CoFe2O4 or ferrite. The firstdriving unit 710 may have a plate shape. The first driving unit 710 mayhave a rectangular plate shape.

The magnetization direction of the first driving unit 710 may beinclined with respect to the optical axis OA. In addition, themagnetization direction of the first driving unit 710 may be inclinedwith respect to the first direction. Further, the magnetizationdirection of the first driving unit 710 may be inclined with respect tothe reference horizontal plane R. In detail, the magnetization directionof the first driving unit 710 may be set between the first direction andthe image-side direction. That is, the magnetization direction of thefirst driving unit 710 may be located in a plane defined by the firstdirection and the image-side direction.

An angle θ1 between the magnetization direction of the first drivingunit 710 and the reference horizontal plane R is in the range of about−20° to about −70°. In detail, the angle θ1 between the magnetizationdirection of the first driving unit 710 and the reference horizontalplane R is in the range of about −30° to about −50°.

The second driving unit 720 is fixed to the housing 400. In detail, thesecond driving unit 720 may be disposed inside the housing 400. Inaddition, the second driving unit 720 may be disposed at an outersurface of the housing 400. The second driving unit 720 may be disposedat the first sidewall 410.

The second driving unit 720 faces the first driving unit 710. Inaddition, the first and second driving units 710 and 720 are spacedapart from each other while facing each other. The second driving unit720 may be parallel to the first driving unit 710. A distance d1 betweenthe first and second driving units 710 and 720 is in the range of about50 μm to about 1000 μm, in detail, about 100 μm to about 500 μm.

The second driving unit 720 may include a coil. That is, the seconddriving unit 720 may be prepared in the form of a coil. In this case,the coil of the second driving unit 720 is wound about an axis extendingin the first direction.

The coil of the second driving unit 720 may be electrically connected tothe circuit board 800. A portion of the second driving unit 720 maydirectly make contact with the circuit board 800.

In detail, the second driving unit 720 includes extension parts 721 aand 721 b. The extension parts 721 a and 721 b extend from both ends ofthe second driving unit 720, respectively. That is the extension parts721 a and 721 b are drawn from the coil of the second driving unit 720.The extension parts 721 a and 721 b may be drawn from an outer portionof the coil of the second driving unit 720. Although the extension parts721 a and 721 b are illustrated as to be drawn from the outer portion ofthe coil, the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the extensionparts 721 a and 721 b may be drawn from an inner portion of the coil ofthe second driving unit 720. However, if the extension parts 721 a and721 b are drawn from the inner portion of the coil of the second drivingunit 720, the extension parts 721 a and 721 b may interfere withcomponents so the drawing work is difficult.

End portions of the extension parts 721 a and 721 b may directly makecontact with the circuit board 800. The extension parts 721 a and 721 bmay extend from the second driving unit 720 to the top surface of thecircuit board 800. Since end portions of the extension parts 721 a and721 b directly make contact with the circuit board 800, the coil can beconnected to the circuit board 800 without using a spring or a pin sothat the structure and the manufacturing process can be simplified. Inaddition, the defective rate can be reduced by reducing the number ofsoldering processes.

Although it has been described above that the first driving unit 710includes the magnetic material, which is magnetized in the inclineddirection, and the second driving unit 720 includes the coil, theembodiment is not limited thereto. For instance, the second driving unit720 may include the magnetic material, which is magnetized in theinclined direction, and the first driving unit 710 may include the coil.

Attractive force or repulsive force may be generated between the firstand second driving units 710 and 720. The second driving unit 720 mayapply the attractive force or repulsive force to the first driving unit710. Since the attractive force or repulsive force has the relativeconcept, the application of the attractive force or repulsive force fromthe second driving unit 720 to the first driving unit 710 issubstantially identical to the application of the attractive force orrepulsive force from the first driving unit 710 to the second drivingunit 720.

The second driving unit 720 may apply attractive force or repulsiveforce to the first driving unit 710 in a direction inclined with respectto the reference horizontal plane R. In this case, the second drivingunit 720 may apply the magnetic force to the first driving unit 710 atan angle of about +20° to about +70° with respect to the referencehorizontal plane R. In detail, the second driving unit 720 may apply themagnetic force to the first driving unit 710 at an angle of about +30°to about +50° with respect to the reference horizontal plane R.

In addition, the second driving unit 720 may apply the magnetic force tothe first driving unit 710 in the first direction as well as theobject-side direction. That is, the second driving unit 720 may applythe magnetic force to the first driving unit 710 in the lateral upwarddirection.

The third driving unit 730 is fixed to the lens barrel 100. In detail,the third driving unit 730 is fixed to the other outer portion of thelens barrel 100. In more detail, the third driving unit 730 is attachedto the other outer surface of the lens barrel 100. The third drivingunit 730 may be attached to the center of the other outer surface of thelens barrel 100.

The third driving unit 730 includes a magnetic material. The thirddriving unit 730 may be formed by using the magnetic material. The thirddriving unit 730 may include iron oxide, CoFe2O4 or ferrite. The thirddriving unit 730 may have a plate shape. The third driving unit 730 mayhave a rectangular plate shape.

The magnetization direction of the third driving unit 730 may beinclined with respect to the optical axis OA. In addition, themagnetization direction of the third driving unit 730 may be inclinedwith respect to the second direction. Further, the magnetizationdirection of the third driving unit 730 may be inclined with respect tothe reference horizontal plane R. In detail, the magnetization directionof the third driving unit 730 may be set between the second directionand the object-side direction. That is, the magnetization direction ofthe third driving unit 730 may be located in a plane defined by thesecond direction and the object-side direction.

An angle θ2 between the magnetization direction of the third drivingunit 730 and the reference horizontal plane R is in the range of about+20° to about +70°. In detail, the angle θ2 between the magnetizationdirection of the third driving unit 730 and the reference horizontalplane R is in the range of about +30° to about +50°.

The fourth driving unit 740 is fixed to the housing 400. In detail, thefourth driving unit 740 may be disposed at the other inner side of thehousing 400. In addition, the fourth driving unit 740 may be disposed atthe other outer surface of the housing 400. The fourth driving unit 740may be disposed at the second sidewall 420.

The fourth driving unit 740 faces the third driving unit 730. Inaddition, the third and fourth driving units 730 and 740 are spacedapart from each other while facing each other. The fourth driving unit740 may be parallel to the third driving unit 730. A distance d2 betweenthe third and fourth driving units 730 and 740 is in the range of about50 μm to about 1000 μm, in detail, about 100 μm to about 500 μm.

The fourth driving unit 740 may include a coil. That is, the fourthdriving unit 740 may be prepared in the form of a coil. In this case,the coil of the fourth driving unit 740 is wound about an axis extendingin the second direction.

The coil of the fourth driving unit 740 may be electrically connected tothe circuit board 800. A portion of the fourth driving unit 740 maydirectly make contact with the circuit board 800.

In detail, the fourth driving unit 740 includes extension parts 741 aand 741 b. The extension parts 741 a and 741 b extend from both ends ofthe fourth driving unit 740, respectively. That is the extension parts741 a and 741 b are drawn from the coil of the fourth driving unit 740.The extension parts 741 a and 741 b may be drawn from an outer portionof the coil of the fourth driving unit 740. Although the extension parts741 a and 741 b are illustrated as to be drawn from the outer portion ofthe coil, the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the extensionparts 741 a and 741 b may be drawn from an inner portion of the coil ofthe fourth driving unit 740. However, if the extension parts 741 a and741 b are drawn from the inner portion of the coil of the fourth drivingunit 740, the extension parts 741 a and 741 b may interfere withcomponents so the drawing work is difficult.

End portions of the extension parts 741 a and 741 b may directly makecontact with the circuit board 800. The extension parts 741 a and 741 bmay extend from the fourth driving unit 740 to the top surface of thecircuit board 800. Since end portions of the extension parts 741 a and741 b directly make contact with the circuit board 800, the structureand the manufacturing process can be simplified. In addition, thedefective rate can be reduced by reducing the number of solderingprocesses.

Although it has been described above that the third driving unit 730includes the magnetic material, which is magnetized in the inclineddirection, and the fourth driving unit 740 includes the coil, theembodiment is not limited thereto. For instance, the fourth driving unit740 may include the magnetic material, which is magnetized in theinclined direction, and the third driving unit 730 may include the coil.

Attractive force or repulsive force may be generated between the thirdand fourth driving units 730 and 740. The fourth driving unit 740 mayapply the attractive force or repulsive force to the third driving unit730.

The fourth driving unit 740 may apply attractive force or repulsiveforce to the third driving unit 730 in a direction inclined with respectto the reference horizontal plane R. In this case, the fourth drivingunit 740 may apply the magnetic force to the third driving unit 730 atan angle of about −20° to about −70° with respect to the referencehorizontal plane R. In detail, the fourth driving unit 740 may apply themagnetic force to the third driving unit 730 at an angle of about −30°to about −50° with respect to the reference horizontal plane R.

In addition, the fourth driving unit 740 may apply the magnetic force tothe third driving unit 730 in the second direction as well as theimage-side direction. That is, the fourth driving unit 720 may apply themagnetic force to the third driving unit 730 in the lateral downwarddirection.

The fifth driving unit 750 is fixed to the lens barrel 100. In detail,the fifth driving unit 750 is fixed to the other outer portion of thelens barrel 100. In more detail, the fifth driving unit 750 is attachedto the other outer surface of the lens barrel 100. The fifth drivingunit 750 may be attached to the center of the other outer surface of thelens barrel 100.

In addition, the fifth driving unit 750 faces the first driving unit710. The fifth driving unit 750 sandwiches the lens barrel 100 togetherwith the first driving unit 710. That is, the fifth driving unit 750faces the first driving unit 710 while interposing the lens barrel 100therebetween.

The fifth driving unit 750 may include a magnetic material. The fifthdriving unit 750 may be formed by using the magnetic material. The fifthdriving unit 750 may include iron oxide, CoFe2O4 or ferrite. The fifthdriving unit 750 may have a plate shape. The fifth driving unit 750 mayhave a rectangular plate shape.

The magnetization direction of the fifth driving unit 750 may beinclined with respect to the optical axis OA. In addition, themagnetization direction of the fifth driving unit 750 may be inclinedwith respect to the first direction. Further, the magnetizationdirection of the fifth driving unit 750 may be inclined with respect tothe reference horizontal plane R. In detail, the magnetization directionof the fifth driving unit 750 may be set between the first direction andthe image-side direction. That is, the magnetization direction of thefifth driving unit 750 may be located in a plane defined by the firstdirection and the image-side direction.

An angle θ3 between the magnetization direction of the fifth drivingunit 750 and the reference horizontal plane R is in the range of about−20° to about −70°. In detail, the angle θ3 between the magnetizationdirection of the fifth driving unit 750 and the reference horizontalplane R is in the range of about −30° to about −50°.

The sixth driving unit 760 is fixed to the housing 400. In detail, thesixth driving unit 760 may be disposed at the other inner side of thehousing 400. In addition, the sixth driving unit 760 may be disposed atthe other outer surface of the housing 400. The sixth driving unit 760may be disposed at the first sidewall 410.

The sixth driving unit 760 faces the fifth driving unit 750. Inaddition, the fifth and sixth driving units 750 and 760 are spaced apartfrom each other while facing each other. The fifth driving unit 750 maybe parallel to the sixth driving unit 760. A distance d3 between thefifth and sixth driving units 750 and 760 is in the range of about 50 μmto about 1000 μm, in detail, about 100 μm to about 500 μm.

The sixth driving unit 760 may include a coil. That is, the sixthdriving unit 760 may be prepared in the form of a coil. In this case,the coil of the sixth driving unit 760 is wound about an axis extendingin the first direction.

The coil of the sixth driving unit 760 may be electrically connected tothe circuit board 800. A portion of the sixth driving unit 760 maydirectly make contact with the circuit board 800.

In detail, the sixth driving unit 760 includes extension parts 761 a and761 b. The extension parts 761 a and 761 b extend from both ends of thesixth driving unit 760, respectively. That is the extension parts 761 aand 761 b are drawn from the coil of the sixth driving unit 760. Theextension parts 761 a and 761 b may be drawn from an outer portion ofthe coil of the sixth driving unit 760. Although the extension parts 761a and 761 b are illustrated as to be drawn from the outer portion of thecoil, the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the extensionparts 761 a and 761 b may be drawn from an inner portion of the coil ofthe sixth driving unit 760. However, if the extension parts 761 a and761 b are drawn from the inner portion of the coil of the sixth drivingunit 760, the extension parts 761 a and 761 b may interfere withcomponents so the drawing work is difficult.

End portions of the extension parts 761 a and 761 b may directly makecontact with the circuit board 800. The extension parts 761 a and 761 bmay extend from the sixth driving unit 760 to the top surface of thecircuit board 800. Since end portions of the extension parts 761 a and761 b directly make contact with the circuit board 800, the structureand the manufacturing process can be simplified. In addition, thedefective rate can be reduced by reducing the number of solderingprocesses.

Although it has been described above that the fifth driving unit 750includes the magnetic material, which is magnetized in the inclineddirection, and the sixth driving unit 760 includes the coil, theembodiment is not limited thereto. For instance, the sixth driving unit760 may include the magnetic material, which is magnetized in theinclined direction, and the fifth driving unit 750 may include the coil.

Attractive force or repulsive force may be generated between the fifthand sixth driving units 750 and 760. The sixth driving unit 760 mayapply the attractive force or repulsive force to the fifth driving unit750.

The sixth driving unit 760 may apply attractive force or repulsive forceto the fifth driving unit 750 in a direction inclined with respect tothe reference horizontal plane R. In this case, the sixth driving unit760 may apply the magnetic force to the fifth driving unit 750 at anangle of about +20° to about +70° with respect to the referencehorizontal plane R. In detail, the sixth driving unit 760 may apply themagnetic force to the fifth driving unit 750 at an angle of about +30°to about +50° with respect to the reference horizontal plane R.

In addition, the sixth driving unit 760 may apply the magnetic force tothe fifth driving unit 750 in the first direction as well as theobject-side direction. That is, the sixth driving unit 760 may apply themagnetic force to the fifth driving unit 750 in the lateral upwarddirection.

The seventh driving unit 770 is fixed to the lens barrel 100. In detail,the seventh driving unit 770 is fixed to the other outer portion of thelens barrel 100. In more detail, the seventh driving unit 770 isattached to the other outer surface of the lens barrel 100. The seventhdriving unit 770 may be attached to the center of the other outersurface of the lens barrel 100.

In addition, the seventh driving unit 770 faces the third driving unit730. The seventh driving unit 770 sandwiches the lens barrel 100together with the third driving unit 730. That is, the seventh drivingunit 770 faces the third driving unit 730 while interposing the lensbarrel 100 therebetween.

The seventh driving unit 770 may include a magnetic material. Theseventh driving unit 770 may be formed by using the magnetic material.The seventh driving unit 770 may include iron oxide, CoFe2O4 or ferrite.The seventh driving unit 770 may have a plate shape. The seventh drivingunit 770 may have a rectangular plate shape.

The magnetization direction of the seventh driving unit 770 may beinclined with respect to the optical axis OA. In addition, themagnetization direction of the seventh driving unit 770 may be inclinedwith respect to the second direction. Further, the magnetizationdirection of the seventh driving unit 770 may be inclined with respectto the reference horizontal plane R. In detail, the magnetizationdirection of the seventh driving unit 770 may be set between the seconddirection and the object-side direction. That is, the magnetizationdirection of the seventh driving unit 770 may be located in a planedefined by the second direction and the object-side direction.

An angle θ4 between the magnetization direction of the seventh drivingunit 770 and the reference horizontal plane R is in the range of about+20° to about +70°. In detail, the angle θ4 between the magnetizationdirection of the seventh driving unit 770 and the reference horizontalplane R is in the range of about +30° to about +50°.

The eighth driving unit 780 is fixed to the housing 400. In detail, theeighth driving unit 780 may be disposed at the other inner side of thehousing 400. In addition, the eighth driving unit 780 may be disposed atthe other outer surface of the housing 400. The eighth driving unit 780may be disposed at the second sidewall 420.

The eighth driving unit 780 faces the seventh driving unit 770. Inaddition, the seventh and eighth driving units 770 and 780 are spacedapart from each other while facing each other. The seventh driving unit770 may be parallel to the eighth driving unit 780. A distance d4between the seventh and eighth driving units 770 and 780 is in the rangeof about 50 μm to about 1000 μm, in detail, about 100 μm to about 500μm.

The eighth driving unit 780 may include a coil. That is, the eighthdriving unit 780 may be prepared in the form of a coil. In this case,the coil of the eighth driving unit 780 is wound about an axis extendingin the second direction.

The coil of the eighth driving unit 780 may be electrically connected tothe circuit board 800. A portion of the eighth driving unit 780 maydirectly make contact with the circuit board 800.

In detail, the eighth driving unit 780 includes extension parts 781 aand 781 b. The extension parts 781 a and 781 b extend from both ends ofthe eighth driving unit 780, respectively. That is the extension parts781 a and 781 b are drawn from the coil of the eighth driving unit 780.The extension parts 781 a and 781 b may be drawn from an outer portionof the coil of the eighth driving unit 780. Although the extension parts781 a and 781 b are illustrated as to be drawn from the outer portion ofthe coil, the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the extensionparts 781 a and 781 b may be drawn from an inner portion of the coil ofthe eighth driving unit 780. However, if the extension parts 781 a and781 b are drawn from the inner portion of the coil of the eighth drivingunit 780, the extension parts 781 a and 781 b may interfere withcomponents so the drawing work is difficult.

End portions of the extension parts 781 a and 781 b may directly makecontact with the circuit board 800. The extension parts 781 a and 781 bmay extend from the eighth driving unit 780 to the top surface of thecircuit board 800. Since end portions of the extension parts 781 a and781 b directly make contact with the circuit board 800, the structureand the manufacturing process can be simplified. In addition, thedefective rate can be reduced by reducing the number of solderingprocesses.

Although it has been described above that the seventh driving unit 770includes the magnetic material, which is magnetized in the inclineddirection, and the eighth driving unit 780 includes the coil, theembodiment is not limited thereto. For instance, the eighth driving unit780 may include the magnetic material, which is magnetized in theinclined direction, and the seventh driving unit 770 may include thecoil.

Attractive force or repulsive force may be generated between the seventhand eighth driving units 770 and 780. The eighth driving unit 780 mayapply the attractive force or repulsive force to the seventh drivingunit 770.

The eighth driving unit 780 may apply attractive force or repulsiveforce to the seventh driving unit 770 in a direction inclined withrespect to the reference horizontal plane R. In this case, the eighthdriving unit 780 may apply the magnetic force to the seventh drivingunit 770 at an angle of about −20° to about −70° with respect to thereference horizontal plane R. In detail, the eighth driving unit 780 mayapply the magnetic force to the seventh driving unit 770 at an angle ofabout −30° to about −50° with respect to the reference horizontal planeR.

In addition, the eighth driving unit 780 may apply the magnetic force tothe seventh driving unit 770 in the second direction as well as theimage-side direction. That is, the eighth driving unit 780 may apply themagnetic force to the seventh driving unit 770 in the lateral downwarddirection.

The elastic member 300 may have elasticity in the object-side direction,the image-side direction, the first direction and the second direction.That is, the elastic member 300 may have elastic modulus in theobject-side direction, the image-side direction, the first direction andthe second direction. The lens barrel 100 may move in the object-sidedirection, the image-side direction, the first direction and the seconddirection and return to its initial position due to the elastic member300.

The camera module according to the embodiment may be operated asfollows.

First, if the camera module according to the embodiment is shaken, ashake sensor senses the shake. At this time, the driving unit 710, 720 .. . 700N moves the lens barrel 100 to compensate for the shake under thecontrol of the control unit.

In this case, the voltage applied to the second driving unit 720 and thesixth driving unit 760 is adjusted to compensate for the firstdirectional component of the shake. In addition, the voltage applied tothe fourth driving unit 740 and the eighth driving unit 780 is adjustedto compensate for the second directional component of the shake.

For instance, if the subject moves in the first direction due to theshake, the lens barrel 100 may be tilted in the moving direction of thesubject by the first driving unit 710, the second driving unit 720, thefifth driving unit 750 and the sixth driving unit 760.

In addition, if the subject moves in the second direction due to theshake, the lens barrel 100 may be tilted in the moving direction of thesubject by the third driving unit 730, the fourth driving unit 740, theseventh driving unit 770 and the eighth driving unit 780.

Further, the camera module according to the embodiment may automaticallyadjust the focus of the lens assembly 200. That is, the camera moduleaccording to the embodiment can increase the distance between the lensassembly 200 and the sensor unit 600 by applying repulsive force to thefirst driving unit 710, the second driving unit 720, the fifth drivingunit 750 and the sixth driving unit 760.

In addition, the camera module according to the embodiment can reducethe distance between the lens assembly 200 and the sensor unit 600 byapplying repulsive force to the third driving unit 730, the fourthdriving unit 740, the seventh driving unit 770 and the eighth drivingunit 780.

In this manner, the camera module according to the embodiment canperform the shake compensation and focus adjustment by inclining themagnetization direction using eight driving units 710 to 780.

As described above, the camera module according to the embodiment cancompensate for the hand-shake by driving the lens barrel 100 relative tothe housing 400. That is, the driving units 710 to 780 move the lensbarrel 100 relative to the housing 400 to compensate for the hand-shake.

In particular, the camera module according to the embodiment applies themagnetic force in the direction inclined with respect to the referencehorizontal plane R to move the lens barrel 100. Thus, the camera moduleaccording to the embodiment can move the lens barrel 100 in the 3-axisdirections. Thus, the camera module according to the embodiment cancompensate for the left-right shake and can adjust the focus.

Therefore, the camera module according to the embodiment may performvarious functions with a smaller number of components and the size ofthe camera module can be reduced.

Hereinafter, a camera module according to another embodiment will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explodedperspective view showing the camera module according to anotherembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, a first driving unit 710, a third driving unit 730,a fifth driving unit 750 and a seventh driving unit 770 are formed inthe lens barrel 100 and include coils.

In addition, the first driving unit 710, the third driving unit 730, thefifth driving unit 750 and the seventh driving unit 770 includeextension parts that directly make contact with the circuit board 800.

In detail, the first driving unit 710 includes extension parts 711 a and711 b. The extension parts 711 a and 711 b extend from both ends of thefirst driving unit 710. That is, the extension parts 711 a and 711 b aredrawn from the coil of the first driving unit 710. The extension parts711 a and 711 b can be drawn from the outer portion of the coil of thefirst driving unit 710. Although the extension parts 711 a and 711 b areillustrated as to be drawn from the outer portion of the coil of thefirst driving unit 710, the embodiment is not limited thereto. Accordingto another embodiment, the extension parts 711 a and 711 b may be drawnfrom the inner portion of the coil of the first driving unit 710.

End portions of the extension parts 711 a and 711 b may directly makecontact with the circuit board 800. The extension parts 711 a and 711 bmay extend from the first driving unit 710 to the top surface of thecircuit board 800.

Similar to the first driving unit 710, the third driving unit 730, thefifth driving unit 750 and the seventh driving unit 770 may also havethe extension parts, respectively.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A camera module comprising: a housing; a lens barrel disposed in thehousing; a first driving unit disposed on a side surface of the lensbarrel; a second driving unit disposed in the housing and facing thefirst driving unit in a horizontal direction, and an elastic memberdisposed between the lens barrel and the housing, and supporting thelens barrel, an image sensor disposed below the lens barrel; a circuitboard coupled to the image sensor, wherein the second driving unit iselectrically connected to the circuit board. 2-20. (canceled)